Switch-stand



(No Model.)

' A.A. ACKLRLY.l

SWITCH STAND.

Patented July 8, 1890.

EJIMT MEMRI-Illu.

mmllll Innen/@02" aon d 02672 i UNirnD STAT-ns LPAT-ENT OFFICE.

AARON A. ACKERLY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-STA-N D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,834, dated July 8, 1890. Application filed November 19, 1889.` Serial No. 330,870. (No niodel.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AARON -A.1ACKERLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chi-4 cago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented'a new and useful Improvement in Switch- Stands, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in that class of switch-stands known as faut'omatic,` wherein a clutch or similar mechanism is normally held in engagement' by means of a spring, the tension of the spring being sufficient to hold the parts together when the device is operated by hand, but yielding to allow it to act automatically when `the rail of the switch is pressed against by the wheelliange of a passing locomotive or train, so that if the switch is set in the wrong position the` pressure of the flange can bring it into thev right position, thus preventing derailment of the cars or breaking of the switch.

The object of my invention is to provide a switch-stand which shall be simpler in construction and operation and more economical to manufacture than the standsv formerly in use; and the invention consists in the features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is the rear elevation of my improved switchstand, shown partly in section; Fig. 2, a plan View of the table; Fig. 3, 'a plan view of the switch-crank; Fig. 4, a side elevation of the clutch, and Fig. 5 a plan view of the spindle.

A is the standard; B, the table; C, the spindle; C', a clamp-collar; D, the operating-lever; E, the switch-crank; F, one part of the clutch attached to such crank; G, the other part of the clutch sliding upon and revolving with the spindle C, but prevented by means of feathers g from revolving independently of such spindle; H, a spiral spring surrounding the spindle and bearing upon the upper end of the part G of the clutch; I I, nuts screwing up and down on the spindle for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the spring H; J, a shell or case fastened to the spindle and inclosing the spring and nuts for the purpose of excluding dirt, rain, or snow; K, the target; 7a, its spindle, and L and M cogs bymeans of which the `target is revolvedwhen thel crank E is renvolved.

In constructing-my improved switch-stand vthe standard Bis made in the ordinary form, as shown in Fig. l, out of any suitable material. The operating-spindle C is supported rin this frame and is journaled in the web A', which connects the two'legs of the standard, and also in the journal-box A2, attached to the table. To prevent the spindle from raising vertically I provide the clamp-collar C', which encircles the spindle immediately below the table, the spindle being preferably reduced in diameter, as shown, so as to form a shoulder abutting against the under side of this collar. Y To rotate the spindle, I provide a lever D, which is held in various positions by means of. slots b b, into which it drops, locking the spindle. l next construct the switch-crank E. This crank is mounted loosely upon the spindle C, so as to rotate independently of it. In the drawings I have shown a crank in the form of a bell-lever adapted to be connected with two switches; but this form is not essential. Attached to this crank or made integral with it, as desired, is one part of the clutch F, provided with beveled teeth, preferably two in number, as shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4. I next construct the other half G of this clutch. This is mounted upon the spindle C, to which it is secured by feathers or splines, so that it is adapted to slide up and down upon the spindle and to rotate with but not independently of it. This part of the clutch has recesses', preferably four in number, adapted to mesh with the beveled teeth on the part F. I next make the spring Il, which is coiled around the spindle and ,rests against the upper end of the part G,

which is preferably recessed to receive it. To adjust the tension of the spring, I provide the lock-nuts L and washer I. The tension of this spring should be sufficient to hold the parts of the clutch in engagement with force enough to prevent them from separating when the switch is operated by hand, while not offering sufficient resistance to prevent the automatic operation of the device under'certain conditions, as are hereinafter set forth. To inclose these parts in order to protect them from dirt and other obstructions, l pre- TOO fer to provide the shell or case J, as shown, fastened by a pin passing into and through the spindle.

The crank E is to be connected with the switch-rails by means of the usual links and bars, the link being attached to the pin e, (shown in Fig. l.)

The device operates as follows: 'When the switch is to be operated by hand by means of the lever D, the downward pressure of the spring will hold the two parts of the clutch in engagement, so that when the spindle and part G attached thereto are rotated the switch-crank will be rotated at the same time and the switch moved back and forth as desired; but when the switch is locked in the wrong position the pressure of the anges.

against the switchrail will overcome the pressure of the spring H, and the switch-crank will rotate upon and independently of the spindle, forcing the part G upward against the spring. This part Gis provided, as stated, preferably with four notches of the proper shape and size to mesh with the teeth upon the part F, so that when the device is operated the switch-crank will turn through a part of a revolution until its teeth are brought oppesite another set of depressions in the part G, when the spring will force the parts into engagement again, leaving the switch locked in the new position into which it is thrown.

I claim- 1. In a switch-stand, the combination of a standard, a spindle journaled therein, a switch-crank loosely mounted on such spindle, a two-part clutch, the lower part of such clutch being attached to the switch-crank and the upper part splined on the spindle, and a coiled spring holding the two parts of the clutch normally in engagement, but yielding to the flange pressure of a passing train, whereby theswitch may be operatedby hand or automatically, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic switch-stand, the combination of the standard A, the spindle C, journaled therein, the operating-lever D, the switch-crankE, loosely mounted on such spindle and carrying the lower part F of a two# part clutch, the upper part G of such clutch splined on the spindle, so as to slide upon and` rotate with but not independently of such spindle, coiled spring I-I for holding` the two parts of the clutch in engagement when the switch is operated by hand, but yielding to ian ge pressure to allow the switch to operate automatically, nuts I I for regulating the tension of such spring, and means for preventing the spindle from rising, substantially' as described.

AARON A. ACKERLY.

l/Vitnesses:

J. E. ENGLAND, S. G. BLACKWOOD. 

